Supporting and promoting the growth of local businesses.

Accelerate Columbus is a comprehensive initiative that brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders to create an environment that fosters innovation and growth by offering assistance in all facets of entrepreneurship, from networking to accessing capital, ensuring you have the support and resources needed to thrive in today’s competitive business landscape.

Accelerate Columbus is a joint initiative of the City of Columbus, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, and six additional Entrepreneur Support Organizations to facilitate various activities in direct relation to the needs of each small business that applies.  

Program 1 – Accelerate Your Business
Spring Session (3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/15, 4/29, 5/13, 5/27 and 6/3)
9:30 AM to 12:30 PM 

Are you a solopreneur ready to grow and set your business up for success? Accelerate Columbus is a program of The City of Columbus and The Columbus Chamber of Commerce targeting and catering to minority-owned, small businesses and solopreneurs beginning their business journey. Utilizing the Chamber’s network of hundreds of subject matter experts that specialize in all aspects of entrepreneurship and small business, trainings will explore topics in the areas of: Community Resources, Business Management and Operations, Marketing and Branding, MBE Certification, Networking, Banking, etc.). Tailored for those in ideation phase or within the first two years of operations, focusing on providing the essential knowledge and tools needed to lay a solid foundation for their business.  

Program 2 – Accelerate 2.0
Spring Session (3/12, 3/19, 3/26, 4/16, 4/30, 5/14, 5/28 and 6/4)
3:30-6:30 PM 

Are you an entrepreneur looking to scale and grow your business to meet the growing needs of the Columbus Region? Accelerate 2.0 is a program of The City of Columbus and The Columbus Chamber of Commerce targeting minority-owned, small businesses on the path to growth and expansion. Utilizing the Chamber’s network of hundreds of subject matter experts that specialize in all aspects of entrepreneurship and small business, trainings will explore topics in the areas of: Community Resources, Business Management and Operations, Securing Funding, Building Business and Strategy, MBE certification, etc.). Aimed at entrepreneurs who have been in operation for three years or more, offering a deeper exploration into the fundamental principles of entrepreneurship to ensure the scalability and sustainability of their business operations.

Businesses interested in participating in the program are encouraged to visit the Accelerate Columbus website to complete the application or contact Abiona Harper, Programming and Membership Specialist, at abionaharper@columbus.org.